5 Best Essential Oils for Sore Throat

You probably know by now that essential oils are very versatile. They can actually treat or provide a remedy to different kinds of health problems. Sore throat is among the respiratory diseases that you can easily treat with the use of essential oils. The condition may occur any time for a variety of reasons. Below are some of the best essential oils for sore throat that you can consider using.

What is a Sore Throat?

A sore throat is a scratchiness, irritation or pain you feel on your throat that becomes worst when swallowing.
A common type of sore throat is normally caused by a viral infection. The other type of a sore throat is known as strep throat which is caused by bacterial infection from various strains of bacteria. Sad to say, these types of sore throats are both contagious and those who are in close contact with them can acquire the disease.
A sore throat is usually caused by cold or flu. You normally first feel the sign and symptoms of cold or flu before you feel pain and scratchiness in your throat. It can be also caused by allergies, tonsillitis, acid reflux, strep throat, smoking or mononucleosis.
Physicians normally recommend rest, plenty of liquids, proper nutrition, gargling and hot teas to treat the sore throat. Another effective way to treat the pain and irritation caused by a sore throat is by the use of essential oils.

Top 5 Essential Oils for Sore Throat

The uses for essential oils are endless and it is not surprising to know that it is also effective in treating a sore throat. The top 5 essential oils for a sore throat will help kill germs, reduce inflammation and boost the healing of this painful and annoying condition.

Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil was used by ancient Egyptians as a medicinal herb. The oil is used to treat the common cold, sinus infections, cough, respiratory infection and inflammation of the mouth and throat including a sore throat.
Since the 1700s, the plant has been cultivated for its essential oil and at present, the United States provides 75% of the world’s fresh peppermint. The oil contains menthol, an important substance with several health benefits.
It provides a cooling and calming effect in the throat and stops a cough. A study shows that the antimicrobial, decongestant and antioxidant properties of peppermint can help alleviate a sore throat.

Pros

Boost immune system that will help fight the bacteria that causes a sore throat and other respiratory illnesses.

Have antimicrobial, decongestant and antioxidant properties.

Contains menthol that provides a cooling and calming effect in the throat.

Cons

It is dangerous when taken in large doses. To avoid this always follow the recommended dose.

How to Use?

For a sore throat, cough, and colds, peppermint oil is used as an inhalation.

If you use it orally, you can add one to three drops to your tea.

You can also rub it on your throat or chest, but you need to dilute it first using a good carrier oil. The dilution ratio will depend on the strength of the oil you purchase.

Lemon oil

It is known to cleanse the toxins from any parts of the body and is used to stimulate the lymph drainage, to purify skin and rejuvenate energy. The oil is extracted from the skin of the lemon and is very effective in treating a sore throat because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also high in Vitamin C.
Oil is extracted from the plant with botanical name Citrus Limon. It has a pale yellow to yellow-green color that smells like lemon peel, providing a refreshing and citrus scent.

Pros

Kills bacteria that causes a sore throat, cough, and colds

Contains a good amount of Vitamin C that is very effective in preventing respiratory infections.

It increases the production of saliva keeping the throat moist.

Cons

It can be phototoxic, which means if used topically it can burn your skin when exposed to the sun.

How to Use?

As an inhalation, simply add two to three drops of lemon oil in your diffuser. If you do not have a diffuser on hand, you can simply place a few drops on a tissue or cloth and inhale deeply.

Eucalyptus oil

This oil is added in many over-the-counter cough and cold products to get rid of congestion. Eucalyptus is a hardwood tree which is called by different names like Australian fever tree, Eucalyptus globulus, and red/blue gum. It exhibits rapid growth and is usually has solo stems, but some of them might start branching out.
There are eleven varieties of eucalyptus bark depending on the different factors like climatic conditions, time of year, and age of the tree. The oily liquid extracted from the eucalyptus bark is known as eucalyptol which exhibits a camphor-like smell that stimulates the respiratory system of the body.

As an inhalation, add one to two drops of eucalyptus oil into the humidifier.

Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in your finger and massage the lymph nodes in the throat. Apply a soft, steady pressure as you move your fingers on the sides of the throat. Do this for 20 to 40 minutes or until the swelling and pain has been reduced.

Add one to two drops of high-grade eucalyptus oil in a glass of water. Also, add a drop of thyme oil it helps fight infection.

Oregano oil

This popular oil is used to deal with a sore throat. Oregano has antiviral and antifungal properties and useful for parasite infections. The oil can prevent and provide a remedy for a sore throat. It can kill the superbug MRSA both as a vapor and as a liquid. The oil retains its antimicrobial activity even in boiling water.

When deciding which oil of oregano is the best, choose the one with at least 70% carvacrol. It is a natural phenol which prevents bacterial growth. If you choose the one with lesser carvacrol concentration, you might be able to enjoy the benefits of this oil.

Pros

It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that prevent the formation of bacteria.

It has antiviral properties.

You can use it both as an inhalation and as an oral remedy for a sore throat.

Cons

Oregano oil is not recommended for pregnant women.

Those with sensitive skin should not use the product topically.

How to use?

Add 3 drops of oregano oil in a glass of water or juice once a day to provide relief in a few hours. You can repeat this for up to five days.

Add two drops of oil in salt water and gargle several times a day.

Place two drops underneath the tongue twice a day until your sore throat as well as other cold or flu symptom is reduced.

For children, you can put a few drops inside a gelatin capsule or you can add it in their juice to make it more palatable.

Clove oil

This oil can help boost the immune system, thus it is effective in preventing and relieving a sore throat. Clove oil has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. Even chewing the clove bud can help treat a sore throat.

The oil has antimicrobial activity that fights a large number of multi-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Because of its antiviral properties and ability to purify blood, it can boost resistance to many diseases including the sore throat. The plant can be found in different parts of the world including Zanzibar, Indonesia, Spice Islands and Pemba.

Pros

The oil has the ability to suppress the growth of streptococcus pyogenes.

Prevent irritation from worsening that will result in a more serious infection.

The oil relieves the pain and discomfort caused by a sore throat.

Cons

It is not recommended for sensitive skin.

How to Use?

Dilute five drops of clove oil in olive oil. Add the oil mixture in a glass of water and gargle for one to two minutes. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with water. You can do this twice a day for one week.

Chew one to two cloves, this will help in numbing the area that causes the pain. It also helps you get a good sleep without any disturbance.

Boil one cup of water and add two cloves into it and then simmer for five minutes. You can add a teaspoon of honey and slowly sip it. You can do the process two times a day.

Use it as a gargle. In a glass of warm water add one to three teaspoons of powdered cloves. Mix well and gargle for few minutes. Do this two to three times a day.

Final Words

Essential oils are versatile that they provide relief to almost all types of illnesses that are caused by bacteria and other viruses. The above list of the top 5 best essential oils for a sore throat will help you get rid of the bacteria causing the illness.
The safest way to treat your sore throat is by the use of essential oils. Just follow the recommended dosage and you will get rid of your sore throat fast. If you find this post helpful to you, feel free to share this with others.

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Naturalist, Blogger
Hi, my name is Elena Flores. I'm a host of this website. My philosophy is that nature can give us everything for health and beauty, and I'm trying to share this ideas upon the world.Read more